MUSIC IN 2014, Part 2: FAVORITE SONGS

And now, in no particular order and with shockingly little overlap with my actual favorite albums, here are the songs I could not stop listening to in 2014:

(Feel free to click here if you’re wondering what I got up to last year…

I Wanna Mingle!, Rusko

The theme song to the game show that’s constantly playing in my head.

U Know, Prince

We all know that technically speaking, Prince never left. But for me personally, this counts as a comeback because until I heard this, I had forgotten how much Prince makes me want to make out with the nearest available person…

(In inimitable Prince fashion, he has made it impossible to share his song through the usual means. Ergo, here is a link to a Rolling Stone where you can stream the song. As always, Prnce remains a Sexy Motherfucker while also being annoying as hell:)

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/prince-drops-new-futuristic-slow-jam-u-know-20140901

Son Of Placenta Previa, Cliff Martinez

There are few things in this world that make me happier than when shows or movies have synth-based musical scores. And as it currently stands, Cliff Martinez is basically the master of those. Case in point:

Monument (The Inevitable End Version), Royksopp feat. Robyn

Finally, I’ve found a song worthy of being played over the end credits of my own funeral…

https://soundcloud.com/playpop/monument-the-inevitable-end-version-by-royksopp-robyn

Fall In Love, Phantogram

I have arbitrary rules that prevent me from putting two songs from the same artist on my list, so it was a toss-up between this and Black Out Days, which are flat out two of the best songs I heard this year. But in the end, I had to give it to Fall In Love, because even after ten months of more or less nonstop play, it still makes me swoon.

Lost Boys And Girls Club, Dum Dum Girls

I was hoping to like the Dum Dum Girls album way more than I actually did, but it was mostly just decent for me. That said, there was something about this riff that I just couldn’t get out of my head.

https://soundcloud.com/subpop/dum-dum-girls-lost-boys-and

Cinderella, Taquwami

I can’t say for sure why this track is called Cinderella, but if I had to guess… I don’t know, probably something about fairy godmothers, tripping balls and getting their grind on. Which is good enough for me.

My Own Eyes, Weird Al Yankovic

In which Weird Al of all people beats the Foo Fighters at their own game…

Blockbuster Night Pt. 1, Run The Jewels

If you can listen to the first twenty five seconds and you’re not on board, then frankly I don’t even know how to talk to you…

My Song, GFOTY

The effect of listening to this song is hard to explain. But think of it as a complete stranger coming up to you and trying to describe every pop song she ever heard. All of them. At the same time. And before you even have the chance to ask her “What the hell are you talking about?”, she’s already rounded the corner, never to be seen again.

Did I Ever Love You?, Leonard Cohen

Well; I mean, yeah, obviously…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo0C1_wb8yA

Two Weeks, FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs is a siren, in the purest mythological sense of the word. And when you’re dashed against the rocks, broken and bloodied, the light leaving your eyes… with your final breaths, you will only be able to muster one last word: “Again…”

Contemporary, Dreamtrack

I’m not even sure if I can put into words exactly why I love this track so much. It sounds like a dance party on the factory floor of a company that makes something really squishy and awesome.

Overreacting, We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists are one of the best bands at coming up with awesome hooks. And they’ve come up with a doozy here. That wailing “Show me where it hurts/you never learn”? Brilliant…

Soul Food, Big K.R.I.T. featuring Raphael Saadiq

Ever since Idlewild, there’s been an Outkast shaped hole in my heart which nothing has come along to fill, until now. Cadillactica is a great album, and this may be its crowning achievement, a track that makes nostalgia feel like home.

Home, Holly Herndon

This song, and Holly Herndon in general, are an acquired taste. But for me, there’s something mesmerizing about the staccato, cacophonous beat matched with the moaning chorus and the refrain “I know you know me better than I know me”. It’s spooky and haunting in the best possible way.

Queen, Perfume Genius

When it comes to music, I’m usually more aware of the music than I am the lyrics. So it’s probably important when lyrics get under my skin, as the ones to ‘Queen’ do. Which is quelle ironique, one supposes. I don’t know what it all means, but it’s beautiful. And terrifying. Usually in that order. But not always…

The Light In The Addict, Party Supplies Featuring Action Bronson

Who the fuck are Party Supplies and where have they been all my life?

https://soundcloud.com/partysupplies/the-light-in-the-addict-feat-action-bronson-black-atlass

Digital Witness, St. Vincent

NOTE TO MOST INDIE MUSICIANS: See, THIS is how you do proper social satire: you make it catchy as fuck…

Raised By Wolves, U2

I have no patience for people complaining that they got a free album, especially when there’s a song on it as great and anthemic as ‘Raised By Wolves’. “Oh, boo hoo! I’ve been mildly inconvenienced by U2s’ most vital, entertaining album in years! How ever will I survive?”

In short: shut up, internet. You sound like a bunch of a-holes…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptNhXGejEak

Bridge To Hawaii, Tacocat

Sometimes the only reason you need is “Because it’s fun!”

Lunch Money, Pusha T

Coke rap isn’t really my thing at all, so it’s weird how into Pusha T I am. Possibly it’s because he’s got this knack for finding the sickest beats. Are there are some decent lines in this song? Sure. But honestly, it’s all about Kanye’s minimalist, futuro-goopy production. Is this how they push drugs on Mars?

Courtesy, PRhyme

Only in a world where Run The Jewels exists is this not the rap track of the year. DJ Premier comes with a masterful beat, and Royce The 5’9″ continues to be the most slept on rapper in the game.